Four-point seat belt comprising two thoracic branches configured to anchor the chest of a user to a backrest of a vehicular seat; two abdominal branches configured to girdle and anchor the waist of the user to the vehicular seat; at least one damping device configured to be activated upon exceeding a first predetermined value of a tension force imparted by the user to the belt; wherein the damping device is configured to cause, upon its activation, a controlled advancement of the chest of the user while limiting the acceleration of the head of the user.

An adaptive belt is attached to a vehicle seat and includes a first section (101), a second section (102), and a third section (103). The adaptive belt includes a retracted configuration and a fully extended configuration. In the retracted configuration, the adaptive belt is folded between the first section and the second section such that a first attachment attaches the first section to a first portion of the second section. In the retracted configuration, the adaptive belt is also folded between the second section and the third section such that a second attachment attaches a second portion of the second section to a first portion of the third section. In the fully extended configuration, all of the attachments fail thereby increasing a length of the adaptive belt. In response to a threshold loading condition, the adaptive belt changes from the retracted configuration to the fully extended configuration.

An adaptive belt is attached to a vehicle seat and includes a first section (101), a second section (102), and a third section (103). The adaptive belt includes a retracted configuration and a fully extended configuration. In the retracted configuration, the adaptive belt is folded between the first section and the second section such that a first attachment attaches the first section to a first portion of the second section. In the retracted configuration, the adaptive belt is also folded between the second section and the third section such that a second attachment attaches a second portion of the second section to a first portion of the third section. In the fully extended configuration, all of the attachments fail thereby increasing a length of the adaptive belt. In response to a threshold loading condition, the adaptive belt changes from the retracted configuration to the fully extended configuration.

A kit for securing cargo within an interior of a vehicle is provided. The vehicle has an occupant restraint system including a coupling member. The kit includes a harness having at least one connecting ring. The harness is configured to hold the cargo. The kit includes a first strap having a first connector at a first end releasably coupled to the coupling member and a second connector at a second end coupled to the at least one connecting ring. The kit includes an energy absorbing element defined on the strap between the first end and the second end. The energy absorbing element is deformable to absorb a force acting on the cargo.

A kit for securing cargo within an interior of a vehicle is provided. The vehicle has an occupant restraint system including a coupling member. The kit includes a harness having at least one connecting ring. The harness is configured to hold the cargo. The kit includes a first strap having a first connector at a first end releasably coupled to the coupling member and a second connector at a second end coupled to the at least one connecting ring. The kit includes an energy absorbing element defined on the strap between the first end and the second end. The energy absorbing element is deformable to absorb a force acting on the cargo.

An energy-absorbing restraint web assembly may include a motor vehicle seat restraint web and an energy absorption web having a first length, a first end attached to the restraint web at a first location thereof and a second end, opposite the first end of the energy absorption web, attached to the restraint web at a second location thereof, the energy absorption web responsive to a transverse force applied to the restraint web between first and second ends thereof that is greater than a threshold force to elongate and absorb energy while elongating, wherein the restraint web defines a second length between the first and second locations thereof, the second length of the restraint web greater than the first length of the energy absorption web such that the overall length of the restraint web increases as the energy absorption web elongates.

An energy-absorbing restraint web assembly may include a motor vehicle seat restraint web and an energy absorption web having a first length, a first end attached to the restraint web at a first location thereof and a second end, opposite the first end of the energy absorption web, attached to the restraint web at a second location thereof, the energy absorption web responsive to a transverse force applied to the restraint web between first and second ends thereof that is greater than a threshold force to elongate and absorb energy while elongating, wherein the restraint web defines a second length between the first and second locations thereof, the second length of the restraint web greater than the first length of the energy absorption web such that the overall length of the restraint web increases as the energy absorption web elongates.

An animal transport crate apparatus has an outer crate including rigid panels forming an outer boundary of an animal enclosure and an inner lining defining a flexible envelope arranged to receive the animal therein within the outer crate. Vehicle connecting tethers are arranged to extend through the outer crate for connection between the inner lining and frame anchors of the vehicle. The tethered inner lining allows the animal to be captured by the flexible envelope to minimize injury to the animal, and other occupants of the vehicle, regardless of the condition of the outer crate following a crash of the vehicle. The surrounding outer crate of rigid panels maintains ease of portability of the crate.

An animal transport crate apparatus has an outer crate including rigid panels forming an outer boundary of an animal enclosure and an inner lining defining a flexible envelope arranged to receive the animal therein within the outer crate. Vehicle connecting tethers are arranged to extend through the outer crate for connection between the inner lining and frame anchors of the vehicle. The tethered inner lining allows the animal to be captured by the flexible envelope to minimize injury to the animal, and other occupants of the vehicle, regardless of the condition of the outer crate following a crash of the vehicle. The surrounding outer crate of rigid panels maintains ease of portability of the crate.

Various embodiments of vehicle occupant safety systems having extendable restraints for use with, for example, airbags are described herein. In one embodiment, for example, the disclosed technology includes a 2-point occupant restraint that secures an occupant in an aircraft seat. In this embodiment, the aircraft seat is positioned in a seating area that includes a forward monument housing a stowed airbag. In the event of a crash or other significant dynamic event that causes, for example, a rapid deceleration of the aircraft above a preset magnitude, the airbag deploys between the occupant and the monument as the dynamic forces cause the occupant to pitch forward. The forward momentum of the occupant's body creates a significant tension load in the 2-point restraint, which causes the restraint to extend by a preset amount, thereby allowing the occupant to move forward in the seat more than the occupant would have moved had the occupant been wearing a conventional, non-extending 2-point restraint. Although the occupant is allowed to move forward, the occupant remains secured to the extended restraint by means of non-extending webbing that is secured around the waist of the occupant. Allowing the occupant to move forward in this manner enables the occupant's upper torso to impact the airbag at a reduced or otherwise more favorable angle. This can reduce both the speed and the angle at which the occupant's head impacts the airbag, thereby reducing the likelihood of injury.